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Waking Up in Vegas
Longest. Quickie. Divorce. Ever.
Vegas in June is known for drunken thrills and bad decisions, but not for introverted estate planning attorney, Mallory, who doesn’t take risks and intends to make partner. She finally gets a chance to show the firm that she has what it takes, when she is assigned the one case she would rather die than work on—a divorce that might end up in court.
Mallory’s paralegal, Amanda, thinks Mallory should date opposing counsel, Tyler Scott, the “hot nose ring lawyer.” But even if she weren’t relationship phobic, Tyler’s client is his quirky mother, who may or may not want the divorce, so he’s off limits. Amanda wants to expedite the divorce and date Mallory’s client. Mallory has to stop Amanda, resist Tyler’s romantic advances, keep his mother out of jail, and work frantically to get the case settled before another shoe drops.
----- A romantic comedy.
Vegas in June is known for drunken thrills and bad decisions, but not for introverted estate planning attorney, Mallory, who doesn’t take risks and intends to make partner. She finally gets a chance to show the firm that she has what it takes, when she is assigned the one case she would rather die than work on—a divorce that might end up in court.
Mallory’s paralegal, Amanda, thinks Mallory should date opposing counsel, Tyler Scott, the “hot nose ring lawyer.” But even if she weren’t relationship phobic, Tyler’s client is his quirky mother, who may or may not want the divorce, so he’s off limits. Amanda wants to expedite the divorce and date Mallory’s client. Mallory has to stop Amanda, resist Tyler’s romantic advances, keep his mother out of jail, and work frantically to get the case settled before another shoe drops.
----- A romantic comedy.
363 pages, Paperback
Published June 20, 2018
1 person is currently reading
1121 people want to read
About the author
Gabrielle Dorian
5 books16 followersOne of the shortest, quietest attorneys you'll ever run into, Gabrielle Dorian puts most of her words on paper. She writes a lot of lawyerly and academic pieces, but her favorite pastime is writing romantic comedies, with emphasis on the comedy. "Write what you know," she says, knowing that the law provides plenty of fodder for humorous works.
Gabrielle loves to travel and loves a good short-lived adventure. She lives in New Mexico, which, at times, still feels like the Wild, Wild West. But she hopes to travel more and to see more water.
Gabrielle loves to travel and loves a good short-lived adventure. She lives in New Mexico, which, at times, still feels like the Wild, Wild West. But she hopes to travel more and to see more water.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 9, 2018
Waking Up in Vegas by Gabrielle Dorian kicks off with a bang, and the beginning of this novel really set the tone for the rest of the story and immediately had me interested. The text message exchange between mother and son had me intrigued, especially when the first chapter started with Mallory’s story, and I tried to figure out how the characters would start to be introduced to one another. I loved having the setting in Vegas, and not just as a vacation destination, but also getting to see the City of Sin through a local point of view. Mallory was a fun character to watch her journey, from being a workaholic lawyer that doesn’t have a lot of time for fun, to meeting a guy she truly cares about and starting to throw some caution to the wind.
While I did enjoy Mallory’s character, the secondary cast in this story really takes the cake. From Mallory’s paralegal and her crazy antics, Quinn and her sudden husband and their hilarious stories, and even Mallory’s booty call, each character had a lot to bring to this chick lit novel. I had a great time reading this one, and my only complaint was that it did get a little drawn out at times. With Mallory being hesitant about a budding relationship, the back and forth did get a little tiring after happening so many times, but it was still a really fun book to read and one I would recommend. I think it would be fantastic to get a sequel to this one and see where the characters have ended up!
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
While I did enjoy Mallory’s character, the secondary cast in this story really takes the cake. From Mallory’s paralegal and her crazy antics, Quinn and her sudden husband and their hilarious stories, and even Mallory’s booty call, each character had a lot to bring to this chick lit novel. I had a great time reading this one, and my only complaint was that it did get a little drawn out at times. With Mallory being hesitant about a budding relationship, the back and forth did get a little tiring after happening so many times, but it was still a really fun book to read and one I would recommend. I think it would be fantastic to get a sequel to this one and see where the characters have ended up!
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
July 18, 2018
Romantic comedy is a tough genre to pull off. Since lawyers don’t tend to be funny people—at least not the ones I know—a legal romantic comedy is practically an oxymoron. But the dialogue and plot twists in this book kept me smiling and chuckling out loud. The character interactions in Waking Up in Vegas took me back to some of my favorite movies starring Tracy and Hepburn (I’m giving away my age), but in a contemporary setting.
The secondary characters, including the city of Las Vegas itself, were stellar. Amanda, the wily, impetuous legal assistant, deserves her own book. Honest lawyers will admit that their assistants are usually the real heroes of their cases. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
The secondary characters, including the city of Las Vegas itself, were stellar. Amanda, the wily, impetuous legal assistant, deserves her own book. Honest lawyers will admit that their assistants are usually the real heroes of their cases. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
July 21, 2018
As a lawyer in the Southwest with a love of Meg Cabot/Sophie Kinsella “chick lit”, this zany legal rom-com was the perfect book for me! Even for those who don’t fit that exact criteria, Ms. Dorian’s work reads as if written by the Cabot/Kinsella/Fielding masters - if any of them were also lawyers!
This debut was clearly impeccably researched in both legal and locale aspects. How refreshing to see legal fiction that reflects reality and isn’t cringeworthy! Ms. Dorian’s writing of Vegas seems to come from a beloved local - it shows a very real, grounded Vegas. The Vegas of ‘Waking Up’ is equal parts the fun of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ meets the everyday of ‘The Goldfinch’ (without the searing depression, of course). ‘Waking Up’ made me actually book a flight to Vegas! (And has me considering a quickie elopement!)
As much as Vegas is a character in its own right in the novel, the flesh and blood characters hold their own against Sin City. Mallory is a classic, relatable, if slightly neurotic protagonist of the genre. She is very much a modern millennial young professional figuring out the trials and tribulations of this Tinder and texting world. It’s impossible to not imagine yourself in her (sometimes 7-inch stripper) shoes while reading along on the twists and turns of her adventure. The supporting cast is also filled with believable characters. I especially liked Mallory’s relationship with her paralegal, Amanda. Their friendship felt exactly like my own work relationships - right down to the tough love and drunk texts.
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Dorian has in store for us next, and I hope it includes a sequel to see what crazy new legal dilemma Mallory gets herself into (hopefully set in Chicago?).
This debut was clearly impeccably researched in both legal and locale aspects. How refreshing to see legal fiction that reflects reality and isn’t cringeworthy! Ms. Dorian’s writing of Vegas seems to come from a beloved local - it shows a very real, grounded Vegas. The Vegas of ‘Waking Up’ is equal parts the fun of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ meets the everyday of ‘The Goldfinch’ (without the searing depression, of course). ‘Waking Up’ made me actually book a flight to Vegas! (And has me considering a quickie elopement!)
As much as Vegas is a character in its own right in the novel, the flesh and blood characters hold their own against Sin City. Mallory is a classic, relatable, if slightly neurotic protagonist of the genre. She is very much a modern millennial young professional figuring out the trials and tribulations of this Tinder and texting world. It’s impossible to not imagine yourself in her (sometimes 7-inch stripper) shoes while reading along on the twists and turns of her adventure. The supporting cast is also filled with believable characters. I especially liked Mallory’s relationship with her paralegal, Amanda. Their friendship felt exactly like my own work relationships - right down to the tough love and drunk texts.
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Dorian has in store for us next, and I hope it includes a sequel to see what crazy new legal dilemma Mallory gets herself into (hopefully set in Chicago?).
August 22, 2018
If you're looking for a fast, often hilarious ride, this is the book.
April 14, 2019
A fun, fast paced romantic comedy that had me rooting for both couples.
October 16, 2018
Easy, delightful, lightweight and fun to read. The main characters are serious lawyers, getting into twisty crazy situations.
It’s actually a double love story, with the clients and the lawyers themselves.
I loved the writing style, the use of text messages all around the novel. And the twists coming about miscommunication or the lack of bravery to tell or do something.
I got the book as a Goodreads giveaway, thank you!
It’s actually a double love story, with the clients and the lawyers themselves.
I loved the writing style, the use of text messages all around the novel. And the twists coming about miscommunication or the lack of bravery to tell or do something.
I got the book as a Goodreads giveaway, thank you!
October 3, 2018
Sidesplitting laughter amidst the millennials!
All the angst and drama you will ever need
All the angst and drama you will ever need
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews